How to Stay Sober at a Wedding

Weddings are a festive time to kick back, let loose and have a grand ole time. You don’t even have to get drunk to do it. In fact, you may have more fun if you’re not hung over the next morning and you remember what you did the night before. You can stay sober at a wedding by following a few strategic tips.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Stay away from the bar. Don’t hang out around the bar. Don’t sit next to the bar. Don’t stand across the room and stare at the bar. Pretend the thing does not exist. If you happen to have an assigned seat next to the bar, switch it as soon as possible.

2. Avoid your drunk uncle. Ditto goes for other guests who are slamming way too much booze and getting tipsy. You can hang around these folks if their drinking doesn’t make you envious and you are using them as examples of how stupid people can get when they are drunk. Otherwise, steer clear. Find other folks who are not drinking, if possible, and hang out with them.

3. Socialize. Keep your mind busy with conversation. Go say hello to people you have not seen in ages or introduce yourself to someone new. Make it a challenge: Pretend you have to talk to at least four people within the next hour. You will be so busy trying to meet your challenge you won’t have time to think about drinking.

4. Dance. It’s hard to drink when you’re out on the dance floor boogie-ing the night away. Having a blast with dancing will also increase your heart rate, give you some physical release and may even get your mind off the drinking altogether.

5. Take a break. No one says you have to stay locked in the reception hall all evening. Take a walk around the grounds. See how far it is to the nearest intersection. Take a trek to any nearby stores just to see what the neighborhood is like.

6. Have someone to call. If you are getting antsy or wanting to drink, make sure you have a friend to call who can offer you moral support through your cell phone. Set it up in advance so at least three people know you will be attending a wedding and may need to call for support.

7. Have an escape plan. If it all gets too much, make sure you have means to leave. Drive your own car so you can leave as you please, call someone for a ride or make sure you know which bus routes are in the area.

Tips & Warnings

• If people ask why you’re not drinking, simply tell them you don’t want to. They don’t need some lengthy explanation, or any for that matter.
• Eating sweets, like a fine hunk of wedding cake, puts some sugar in your system and may help quell the urge to drink.
• Keep a hold on your glass. You don’t need to put down your soda only to accidentally pick up a scotch and soda and start sipping away. If you are drinking any beverage, keep it with you in your hand at all times until you are done with it.